I have not posted on this blog in FOREVER and I am so sorry about that! I have been having a wonderful, yet challenging summer with an internship at a Brazilian Steak House, traveling for work and with family and I feel like I am JUST now able to relax and enjoy summer ( only 3 weeks left)! This is the time of the summer that I get nostalgic BUT this year it’s different I am so excited for Senior year because then the real world awaits! I learned so much from my internship and even learned quite a few things I don’t want to do for my “grown up” job. For instance I MUST be outside, or at least on the move. It pains me to sit at a desk all day. corporate America might not be for me.

I was able to take a trip with my second family…the Berlins a few weeks ago to Newport Rhode Island. WOW all I can say is it is SO beautiful up there! And those northerners aren’t too bad;) We had the most amazing time and I loved every second spent with little T. She is getting SO big and old…I can’t believe it. Annie is growing into the most beautiful young woman and can kick any ones you-know-what in tennis! We went on a run together one morning & she did GREAT!

Straight from RI to CO to meet up with my family for a week in heaven on earth, Estes Park. I love my family and this trip reminded me how amazing they are and how FUN we are too:). At the beginning of the week I asked them to pray over me and that God would really use this time to spark a fire in my heart again. I believe he did just that. I’ve been fighting a lot of different things this summer and God has been my rock, even in the mess ups. I am thankful. And I’m thankful for how he is guiding me even now, even today to be more like him. My hope is that I would be so in tune with his thoughts that they become mine.

This morning Mom and I went for an hr run/walk at my favorite place. The Katy Trail. It was a perfect morning and I am really savoring them as soon I will head back to Waco (not my favorite place to run). Hopefully I’ll find a place I can really enjoy this year as I gear up to train for my half in February! WAHOO!

Lots and lots of exciting things headed my way and I hope only to grow closer to Christ through it all. A verse I have loved this summer is 1 Peter 5:7-9

“Cast your anxieties upon Him for he cares for you. Be self disciplined and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him and stand firm in the faith.”

I’m pretty much freaking out today because I’m one week (and one exam) away from PARADISE! This time next week the family and I, will be flying to LA for a quick stop (yay) and then back on a plane to Honolulu, Hawaii! We will be in Honolulu for a few days and then off to Maui! I can’t wait for all of the adventures coming our way! Seriously the thought of laying out by the pool, surfing, walking on the beach, ahhhhh just makes me SMILE! I don’t want to ramble too much before the trip cause I can only imagine how much I’ll have to say after so here are a few of my plans while in paradise:

Relaxing <– DUH! I’m taking book requests!

Surfing..I’m not a first timer but definitely no expert, it will be a blast to have Whitney and Trav with me this time and my Dad, who’s pretty much a pro! Mom might just watch….for sharks 😉

Hiking! There are gorgeous hiking trails right outside our villas..this will be a must!

Shopping…we will probably have to make a day out of this one!

Swimming (pool and ocean)

Possible a few bike rides 🙂

Whale watching from our beach!

Here’s where I need your help!Any book requests? I could probably go through at least 3! I’d also like to apologize ahead of time for blowing up your twitter next week with instagram pictures…I’m sure to be a slave to my camera with all the beauty in the islands!